5 Shocking Financial Crimes That Sent Todd And Julie Chrisley To Federal Prison

The glamorous life of reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley came crashing down when they were convicted on multiple federal charges, leading to lengthy prison sentences that have shocked their fans. As of December 2025, the reality TV couple remains incarcerated, with their family fighting tirelessly to appeal the convictions that ended their reign as the patriarch and matriarch of the popular show Chrisley Knows Best.

The core of the issue is a complex web of financial deceit involving millions of dollars. The Chrisleys did not go to prison for a simple mistake; they were convicted of a sophisticated conspiracy to defraud community banks and evade federal taxes, crimes that prosecutors argued were driven by a desire to maintain their lavish, on-screen lifestyle.

Todd and Julie Chrisley: A Brief Biography and Legal Timeline

The Chrisley family rose to fame through their USA Network reality show, which showcased their seemingly perfect, wealthy Southern lifestyle. However, behind the cameras, a financial storm was brewing.

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• Michael Todd Chrisley: Born April 6, 1969, in Georgia. Known professionally as Todd Chrisley, he was a self-proclaimed real-estate mogul and the patriarch of the family. His business ventures and reported net worth have been heavily scrutinized, with current estimates often reflecting a negative balance due to massive debt and legal penalties.
• Julie Chrisley (née Hughes): Born January 9, 1973, in Winchester, South Carolina. She is the family matriarch and co-star of the reality show.
• Children: The couple has three children together—Chase, Savannah, and Grayson—and Todd has two children from a previous marriage, Lindsie and Kyle. They also have custody of their granddaughter, Chloe Chrisley.
• Indictment: A federal grand jury indicted the couple in August 2019 on 12 counts of financial crimes.
• Conviction: In June 2022, a jury found them guilty on all counts after a three-week trial.
• Sentencing: On November 21, 2022, Todd was sentenced to 12 years and Julie to seven years in federal prison, followed by 16 months of probation each.

The Core Charges: Why the Chrisleys Are Incarcerated

The question of "why did the Chrisleys go to prison" is answered by a devastating combination of major federal offenses. The prosecution successfully argued that the couple engaged in a years-long scheme to obtain millions of dollars in fraudulent loans and then actively worked to hide their income from the IRS.

1. Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud

This was the most serious charge. The Chrisleys were found guilty of conspiring to defraud community banks out of more than $30 million.

• The Scheme: Todd Chrisley and his business partner, Mark Braddock, created false documents, including fabricated bank statements and personal financial statements, to dramatically inflate their wealth.
• The Loans: They used these fraudulent documents to secure massive loans from various banks, which they then used to fund their extravagant lifestyle and real-estate ventures.
• The Cover-Up: When the loans went unpaid, Todd and Julie filed for bankruptcy to avoid repaying the $20 million debt, only to then hide millions of dollars in income from the bankruptcy court.

2. Wire Fraud

Wire fraud is often charged alongside bank fraud because the fraudulent activity involves the use of interstate communication, such as emails or wire transfers, to execute the scheme. Julie Chrisley was specifically charged with this offense.

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The couple used wire transfers to move the fraudulently obtained funds across state lines, a key component that allowed the federal government to prosecute the case.

3. Conspiracy to Commit Tax Evasion

The Chrisleys were also convicted of conspiring to defraud the IRS.

• Hiding Income: After gaining fame and wealth from their reality show, they failed to file tax returns or pay taxes for several years, actively concealing their earnings from the federal government.
• The Company: They channeled their reality show income through a company called 7C's Productions, which they used to hide the money from the IRS.
• The Accountant: Their former accountant, Peter Tarantino, was also charged and convicted alongside the couple for his role in filing false tax returns.

4. Obstruction of Justice

Julie Chrisley faced an additional charge of obstruction of justice, which stemmed from her attempts to interfere with the federal investigation into their financial activities.

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This charge is critical because it indicates an active effort to conceal the crimes, demonstrating intent rather than accidental oversight.

The Chrisley's Current Status, Sentence Reductions, and Appeal Efforts

The Chrisleys began serving their sentences in January 2023, and their lives have been drastically different from the luxury depicted on television. Their sentences have seen some recent adjustments, which offer a glimmer of hope to the family.

Sentence Reductions and Incarceration Locations

While the initial sentences were 12 and 7 years, the Federal Bureau of Prisons has since reduced the time the couple must serve.

• Todd Chrisley: He is serving his sentence at the Federal Prison Camp (FPC) Pensacola in Florida. His 12-year sentence has been reduced to approximately 10 years.
• Julie Chrisley: She is serving her sentence at FMC Lexington (Federal Medical Center) in Kentucky. Her 7-year sentence has been reduced to approximately 5 years and 11 months.

It is important to note that a widely circulated rumor about a presidential pardon or early release is false. The couple remains in federal custody.

The Ongoing Appeal

The Chrisley family and their legal team are vigorously pursuing an appeal of the conviction. This is the last major legal avenue for the couple to overturn their guilty verdict and secure their release.

The appeal focuses on several key arguments, including alleged errors made by the trial judge, such as allowing testimony from their former business partner, Mark Braddock, who turned on the couple and testified for the prosecution. The family's children, particularly Savannah Chrisley, have been outspoken about their parents' treatment and the flaws they see in the justice system, using their platform to advocate for their release.

The Chrisleys' downfall serves as a stark reminder that the financial crimes of bank fraud, wire fraud, and tax evasion carry severe penalties, regardless of celebrity status. The legal battle is far from over, but for now, the reality TV stars remain behind bars, paying the price for the financial deception that funded their on-screen fantasy.